India asks U.S to Sell mine-resistant vehicles to be left behind in

In a bid to avoid a Sukma like disaster â€” where 16 paramilitary security personnel were killed in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh â€” the government has decided to approach Washington to purchase state-of-the-art mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, which the US forces will leave behind in Afghanistan after they pull-out of the country this year.

The spadework for the acquisition has already begun through the foreign military sales route with Pentagon inclined to sell â€œexcess defence articlesâ€ to India rather than be captured by Taliban forces after the drawdown.

While South Block has asked its officials to prepare for the specifications of the MRAPs, there are five categories of some 3,800 vehicles currently in Afghanistan. Called Cougar or Buffalo, these more than 14-tonne vehicles with V-shaped hulls, have minimised the US forces casualties in improvised explosive device blasts and ambush, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US has given some 20 such vehicles to Pakistan under the coalition support programme. The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs â€” routinely used by Indian Maoists â€” have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

â€œThe Americans first offered the MRAPs to defence ministry some years ago without avail. This time the request has come from home ministry as these vehicles will help in transportation of troops as well as improve patrolling on the main highways in south Chhattisgarh,â€ said a senior ministry of external affairs official.

Although the casualties in the Tongpal ambush were partly due to violation of standard operating procedures by the security forces and in spite of actionable intelligence, it was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde that troopers needed extra protection with Maoists using planned attacks and area weapons. It was then that the MEA was alerted to approach Pentagon for sale of MRAPs under the bilateral Homeland Security programme.

In a bid to avoid a Sukma like disaster â€” where 16 paramilitary security personnel were killed in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh â€” the government has decided to approach Washington to purchase state-of-the-art mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, which the US forces will leave behind in Afghanistan after they pull-out of the country this year.

The spadework for the acquisition has already begun through the foreign military sales route with Pentagon inclined to sell â€œexcess defence articlesâ€ to India rather than be captured by Taliban forces after the drawdown.

While South Block has asked its officials to prepare for the specifications of the MRAPs, there are five categories of some 3,800 vehicles currently in Afghanistan. Called Cougar or Buffalo, these more than 14-tonne vehicles with V-shaped hulls, have minimised the US forces casualties in improvised explosive device blasts and ambush, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US has given some 20 such vehicles to Pakistan under the coalition support programme. The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs â€” routinely used by Indian Maoists â€” have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

â€œThe Americans first offered the MRAPs to defence ministry some years ago without avail. This time the request has come from home ministry as these vehicles will help in transportation of troops as well as improve patrolling on the main highways in south Chhattisgarh,â€ said a senior ministry of external affairs official.

Although the casualties in the Tongpal ambush were partly due to violation of standard operating procedures by the security forces and in spite of actionable intelligence, it was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde that troopers needed extra protection with Maoists using planned attacks and area weapons. It was then that the MEA was alerted to approach Pentagon for sale of MRAPs under the bilateral Homeland Security programme.

Whats wrong with our MPVs? Sometime back a police officer commented that a reason for the casualities is that,our men usually don't strap themselves while riding the MPV.

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USA ones are heavy duty can stand upto 150 kg IED blast, The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs â€” routinely used by Indian Maoists â€” have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

can indian one do that??

2ndly if we don't go for those MPV''s,those will be given to pakistan free free free free.

Re: India asks U.S to Sell mine-resistant vehicles to be left behind i

This deal, if it occurs, allows us to rapidly build up a large number of MPV's for counter-insurgency operations. This is the primary reason for the rationale behind this deal. However, there is also another element that might be at play here.

The Indian army has some 1700 APCs, organised into primarily into 4 mechanized infantry divisions (or RAPIDS). These 1700 APC's, with 7 troops mean around 12,000 troops can move along with the 3 Armored divisions, a necessity for rapid thrusts. Armor cannot operate without highly mobile, well protected supporting infantry columns moving into assault.

If India does buy some 2000 MRAPs, that would be enough to raise another 4-5 motorized divisions, should the need arise. And this would be done without any country accusing us of a rapid buildup.

Add RCWS, HMG mounts and/or AT launchers and we will have doubled our motorized division strengths. This is even more interesting given the fact that with 400-500 tanks in an armored regiment, we have committed only some 1200-1500 tanks into dedicated armored divisions, leaving at least the option of forming another 2 armored divisions to boost strike power when required.

Just a few random thoughts of mine glued together, so forgive the lack of a unified theme in all the paragraphs

USA ones are heavy duty can stand upto 150 kg IED blast, The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs â€” routinely used by Indian Maoists â€” have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

can indian one do that??

2ndly if we don't go for those MPV''s,those will be given to pakistan free free free free.

choice is urs

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Do you really feel those MRAP can withstand 150 Kg explosive? Seems that you haven't seen the depth of crater that 50 Kg of explosive ( Ammonium Nitrate grade) created in Bihar/Jharkhand/Chattisgarh.

This deal, if it occurs, allows us to rapidly build up a large number of MPV's for counter-insurgency operations. This is the primary reason for the rationale behind this deal. However, there is also another element that might be at play here.

The Indian army has some 1700 APCs, organised into primarily into 4 mechanized infantry divisions (or RAPIDS). These 1700 APC's, with 7 troops mean around 12,000 troops can move along with the 3 Armored divisions, a necessity for rapid thrusts. Armor cannot operate without highly mobile, well protected supporting infantry columns moving into assault.

If India does buy some 2000 MRAPs, that would be enough to raise another 4-5 motorized divisions, should the need arise. And this would be done without any country accusing us of a rapid buildup.

Add RCWS, HMG mounts and/or AT launchers and we will have doubled our motorized division strengths. This is even more interesting given the fact that with 400-500 tanks in an armored regiment, we have committed only some 1200-1500 tanks into dedicated armored divisions, leaving at least the option of forming another 2 armored divisions to boost strike power when required.

Just a few random thoughts of mine glued together, so forgive the lack of a unified theme in all the paragraphs

Click to expand...

If those MRAP come to India, then they probably would come with a raider that it can't be used against Pakistan. This check will be there to pacify our western neighbor.

USA ones are heavy duty can stand upto 150 kg IED blast, The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs â€” routinely used by Indian Maoists â€” have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

can indian one do that??

2ndly if we don't go for those MPV''s,those will be given to pakistan free free free free.

choice is urs

Click to expand...

Can you provide a link that states the American MRAP can withstand 150kg blast?Its hard to believe.

OFB one's can handle 14 kgs under their tyres,10 under hull.Ordnance Factory Board
The TATA one's also offers a similiar level of protection.

Run flat tyres are available optionally.

Buying these vehicles means,paying for their spare parts,which will be a pain in the arse in future.Don't forget that these are used vehicles.

Re: India asks U.S to Sell mine-resistant vehicles to be left behind i

I think 150kg is a bit over the top, however this purchase should be done for sure, we can buy the whole lot and everything thing else they got for a rather low price, they are heavy duty MRAPs and they will be very useful for both internal and external security.

Re: India asks U.S to Sell mine-resistant vehicles to be left behind i

the idea is cool , but that does not ensures the safety of our personel . . . Because our men think that they are the Dabbang , even if u give em a TANK , still they will not use it properly . .. .
They do not leave a single chance to show themselves as a hero . . .